General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2024)

[TheHurl]

I know one thing you should do - it's stop taking things that GM's or players say in interviews very seriously. That would be a good start. Did anyone actually expect him to say "well f*** - we swung and missed on a couple of big name guys already, this offseason f***ing blows so far. I really hate this team as it's currently constructed - we're going to average like 2 runs a game with these bums. I can't seem to find a team to give me anything good for Espinal - sure wish he didn't s*** the bed last year and tank his value. We need some more offense, but Teo thinks he's worth a 5 year deal and Boras wants the world for that 1 year wonder Bellinger - f*** that guy - too much risk at that price. I told him to call me back when he realizes nobody is stupid enough to give him 8 years. We're in a s***** spot here - we really need Vlad and Kirk to get in shape and hit like they can or this window is going to slam shut. Can't have Springer and Varsho suck goats either - need 25 HRs from both of them this year. Oh and I'm still trying to find someone stupid enough to give me the world for Ricky T - I read a rotowire article that he has red flags. I'm going to lose my job soon if s*** doesn't improve".

 

I mean - I'm sure that's what he's actually thinking, but obviously he can't say that in public.

 

Or Atkins really would be okay with the roster as it is.

[Brownie19]

Or Atkins really would be okay with the roster as it is.

 

Aren't GM's always looking to improve the roster? It certainly seems like the "we like what we have" response is always just to pump the tires of the current roster. It's just lip service to reporters who are asking stupid questions, knowing they aren't getting real answers. Rinse and repeat. It's just posturing BS.

[xposbrad]

Atkins reports today that he is really happy going ahead with today's roster if there are no more adds. Sweet. Should we plan the parade?

 

This is a non playoff team with very few high end prospects. I guess he's happy lying.

[L54]

Shut the message board down there’s nothing more to discuss. Parade will be early November

[Spanky99]

Shut the message board down there’s nothing more to discuss. Parade will be early November

 

Why are you the grinch, man? There's plenty of offseason left.

[L54]

Why are you the grinch, man? There's plenty of offseason left.

 

I am the equilibrium

[Spanky99]

I am the equilibrium

 

lol

[Spanky99]

Or Atkins really would be okay with the roster as it is.

 

That wouldn't be pushing for an East Title, I agree about notes that worry of mediocrity?

 

That's not good.

[Brownie19]

Shut the message board down there’s nothing more to discuss. Parade will be early November

 

There's probably a very good possibility that Atkins knows there's almost nothing this team can do to become a true contender this year that wouldn't completely sacrifice the future (while probably only increasing the probability of winning the WS by 5-10%) and I doubt Rogers or Shapiro are supportive of that approach. Fans may not like that, but it's probably true. The most likely outcome for this team is probably to land in a wild card and hope to hell they get some luck/momentum on their side at just the right time.

 

There's a low probability that we have some massive bounce back seasons from Vlad, Kirk, Varsho, Springer, combined with repeat seasons from the rotation - which would probably give us a chance to win the AL East and contend this year....there's also a probability we don't get any bounce backs and Berrios and Gausman blow out their arms and we a last place team.

 

No GM is going to go in front of the public and walk them through this reality - or tell them how they really feel. So go plan a parade, or go cheer for another team - nobody really cares.

[Spanky99]

Brownie slapping common sense all over the f***ing place.

[Stangstag]

There's probably a very good possibility that Atkins knows there's almost nothing this team can do to become a true contender this year that wouldn't completely sacrifice the future (while probably only increasing the probability of winning the WS by 5-10%) and I doubt Rogers or Shapiro are supportive of that approach. Fans may not like that, but it's probably true. The most likely outcome for this team is probably to land in a wild card and hope to hell they get some luck/momentum on their side at just the right time.

 

There's a low probability that we have some massive bounce back seasons from Vlad, Kirk, Varsho, Springer, combined with repeat seasons from the rotation - which would probably give us a chance to win the AL East and contend this year....there's also a probability we don't get any bounce backs and Berrios and Gausman blow out their arms and we a last place team.

 

No GM is going to go in front of the public and walk them through this reality - or tell them how they really feel. So go plan a parade, or go cheer for another team - nobody really cares.

 

I agree with all this, im just surprised because it felt like Atkins was in the hot seat after the way the season ended (and what happened in 2022, and 2021). Was expecting some big moves to sacrifice the future to win NOW but its looking like we’re just back to the status quo.

 

Like, is Atkins’ job even in danger? Hard to tell what’s going on with the front office/ownership right now. You’d think they wanna make noise this offseason with the new renovations and what not.

[Spanky99]

I agree with all this, im just surprised because it felt like Atkins was in the hot seat after the way the season ended (and what happened in 2022, and 2021). Was expecting some big moves to sacrifice the future to win NOW but its looking like we’re just back to the status quo.

 

Like, is Atkins’ job even in danger? Hard to tell what’s going on with the front office/ownership right now. You’d think they wanna make noise this offseason with the new renovations and what not.

 

Well, he blamed himself and the internal staff, his job isn't in danger or he cares.

[Brownie19]

I agree with all this, im just surprised because it felt like Atkins was in the hot seat after the way the season ended (and what happened in 2022, and 2021). Was expecting some big moves to sacrifice the future to win NOW but its looking like we’re just back to the status quo.

 

Like, is Atkins’ job even in danger? Hard to tell what’s going on with the front office/ownership right now. You’d think they wanna make noise this offseason with the new renovations and what not.

 

I mean - if the rest of the FO, including Ownership and Shapiro generally agree (with my take), then whey would they want to fire the GM? For all we know, they went into the offseason with the gameplan of doing everything they could to land Ohtani and/or Yama - and if they couldn't, they all agreed there was likely very little else they could do to make tangible improvements this offseason unless the market for guys like Chapman and Bellinger crumbles and you can land them on a sweetheart deal.

 

If Shapiro and Ownership believe Atkins did everything physically possible to execute that plan - and the price of Chapman and Bellinger doesn't drop, then it is what it is. You can't have the GM going rogue - signing Bellinger for $250M simply because he feels like he's going to lose his job if he doesn't win a playoff series or 2 this year. That's no way to run a team.

 

Of course some fans will still expect Atkins to pull off multiple miracles this year - or they'll suggest they don't give a f*** if Atkins signs a bunch of average players to massive contracts - as long as we have a better chance to win this year. Regardless, they'll call for his head/job if it doesn't all work out. That's basically how it works.

 

Offseason isn't over yet though...still time for markets to change and solid additions to become more reasonable adds. Also still time to keep working the trade market - hoping to find that perfect fit. It may happen, it may not.

[Spanky99]

Woooooooooooooo!!!

[Eat My Shatkins]

Brownie just dropping truth bomb after truth bomb on the chicken Littles haha

[leaffie]

I dont think fans expect miracles, but they would like to see progression. Our payroll is probably at max or due for some regression, our farm system is in the bottom five in mlb, we have failed miserably in the playoffs and we are now facing another season where we are HOPING, for improvement from players that are another year older.

 

We have no young players signed to long term contracts and will surely lose the ones we have for next to nothing. I would not be signing Bellinger, and Chappy could be an option if his price came down.

 

Unfortunately, this team’s in a box, and there is going to have to be a complete start over and I just hope that Atkins has nothing to do with it. I would imagine Atkins is going to try one more time with status quo because he has no choice.

 

Like all baseball fans you start the off season with the hope that your team improves. Last year was the worst most frustrating Jays team I can ever remember watching, and so far this off season isnt giving fans much hope for next year.

[TheHurl]

That wouldn't be pushing for an East Title, I agree about notes that worry of mediocrity?

 

That's not good.

Aren't they projected to be within 2 wins of the AL East now?

[Spanky99]

I dont think fans expect miracles, but they would like to see progression. Our payroll is probably at max or due for some regression, our farm system is in the bottom five in mlb, we have failed miserably in the playoffs and we are now facing another season where we are HOPING, for improvement from players that are another year older.

 

We have no young players signed to long term contracts and will surely lose the ones we have for next to nothing. I would not be signing Bellinger, and Chappy could be an option if his price came down.

 

Unfortunately, this team’s in a box, and there is going to have to be a complete start over and I just hope that Atkins has nothing to do with it. I would imagine Atkins is going to try one more time with status quo because he has no choice.

 

Like all baseball fans you start the off season with the hope that your team improves. Last year was the worst most frustrating Jays team I can ever remember watching, and so far this off season isnt giving fans much hope for next year.

 

Our farm IS NOT bottom 5, just saying.

[Spanky99]

Aren't they projected to be within 2 wins of the AL East now?

 

Right now? I doubt it. Close though.

[leaffie]

Every site I checked had them ranked 23 or 25. Far cry from what was promised and not like they traded away anyone that affected the ranking except Moreno that was a top tier.

[Spanky99]

Every site I checked had them ranked 23 or 25. Far cry from what was promised and not like they traded away anyone that affected the ranking except Moreno that was a top tier.

 

Which sites? Sorry but that news is old. I agree with the latter.

[L54]

I dont think fans expect miracles, but they would like to see progression. Our payroll is probably at max or due for some regression, our farm system is in the bottom five in mlb, we have failed miserably in the playoffs and we are now facing another season where we are HOPING, for improvement from players that are another year older.

 

We have no young players signed to long term contracts and will surely lose the ones we have for next to nothing. I would not be signing Bellinger, and Chappy could be an option if his price came down.

 

Unfortunately, this team’s in a box, and there is going to have to be a complete start over and I just hope that Atkins has nothing to do with it. I would imagine Atkins is going to try one more time with status quo because he has no choice.

 

Like all baseball fans you start the off season with the hope that your team improves. Last year was the worst most frustrating Jays team I can ever remember watching, and so far this off season isnt giving fans much hope for next year.

 

You see as a fan you’re supposed to just get used to the mediocrity. As long as Rogers is happy with the ROI on their investment Mark and Ross get to keep their jobs. Put together a high floor low ceiling team like the Cleveland Indians who can squeak into the playoffs, get stomped and then throw your hands in the air and say well we tried

 

Then the guys who shill for the giant media corporation and actually cheer for the front office and not the team can exclaim WELL WHAT DID YOU WANT THEM TO dO?? They made the playoffs it’s a crapshoot!

 

Loser mentality tbh. I agree with your take. Jays fans were promised this sustained winner who would bring a WS to Canada. Pipelines of talent blah blah blah. The farm sucks and the only players signed long term are old. Hope I’m wrong but running it back with the slap hitting run prevention squad is going to be an uphill battle

[leaffie]

Fangraphs had them 23 and pipeline had them 25.

[L54]

Which sites? Sorry but that news is old. I agree with the latter.

 

Fangraphs and MLB

[Spanky99]

Fangraphs had them 23 and pipeline had them 25.

 

Fangraphs and MLB

 

They aren't updated.

 

IIRC... the Fruit is young and the Birds will jump bigly.

[L54]

They aren't updated.

 

How high do you expect them to move?

[Dick_Pole]

Jays haven't made any significant improvement to the farm and no prospect has taken a significant step forward in months. The top prospect is a walking injury and the rest of them are these kinda sorta okay prospects who might be able to provide 1-2 WAR in 2024 or 2025 with some luck and playing time. So it's not like the Jays are going to go from spot 25 to spot 7 in any update.

[Spanky99]

Fangraphs and MLB

 

I'll take the WW industry over that, sorry.

[Spanky99]

How high do you expect them to move?

 

18-20 is expected.

[L54]

I'll take the WW industry over that, sorry.

 

Huh?